Chapter 19 – The Backup Shinobi
Inside the Hokage Tower, Ren stood calmly in front of the Hokage's desk after listening to Hiruzen's explanation. The room was quiet except for the faint crackling of the old man's pipe.
After thinking for a moment, Ren finally spoke.
"Lord Hokage… how about making a solo team?"
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Hiruzen Sarutobi blinked in surprise.
"A solo team?"
Ren nodded calmly.
"Yes."
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"I can train on my own," Ren continued. "And as you said, you want to create a specialized sensory team."
"So instead of forcing me into a team… I could become a backup shinobi."
Hiruzen leaned forward slightly with interest.
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"A backup shinobi?" Hiruzen repeated.
Ren nodded again.
"If the existing teams need help during missions, I can join them temporarily."
"This way I can train with whichever team is available."
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"And during missions where additional support is needed," Ren added calmly, "I can assist them."
"It will also allow me to gain experience with multiple team styles."
Hiruzen quietly tapped his pipe against the desk.
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That… is actually a good idea.
The old Hokage slowly leaned back in his chair.
His eyes narrowed slightly as he thought.
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I only wanted this boy to remain within the Hokage faction.
If he rotates between teams…
He will naturally grow closer to their sensei.
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Team Seven was led by Kakashi Hatake.
Team Eight by Kurenai Yuhi.
Team Ten by Asuma Sarutobi.
All three were loyal to the Hokage.
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This might even be better than placing him in ANBU.
Hiruzen suddenly laughed.
"Hahaha! Young people really do come up with interesting ideas."
Ren simply smiled politely.
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"How about this for a start," Hiruzen said.
"You will act as the backup shinobi for three teams."
Ren listened carefully.
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"Team Seven," Hiruzen continued.
"Consists of Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura."
Ren nodded calmly.
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"Team Eight consists of Ino, Shikamaru, and Choji."
"And Team Ten consists of Hinata, Kiba, and Shino."
Hiruzen looked at him.
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"What do you think, Ren?"
Ren smiled calmly.
"I accept, Lord Hokage."
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"Good," Hiruzen said with satisfaction.
"I hope you continue to grow stronger and keep the Will of Fire alive."
"Yes, Hokage-sama," Ren replied respectfully.
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Ren bowed slightly before turning toward the door.
The moment he left the Hokage Tower, the evening wind brushed against his face.
Backup shinobi, huh…
---
Well… that works perfectly.
Meanwhile, deep within the Hyuga clan archives, Hiashi sat surrounded by ancient scrolls.
He had been searching for hours.
---
Finally, he found something.
His eyes narrowed as he read the old text.
"Byakugan… Princess?"
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"A princess born once in centuries…"
"The one with the purest Byakugan."
"The closest existence to the origin of the Byakugan."
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Hiashi slowly leaned back.
"So… Hinata is a Byakugan Princess."
"No wonder…"
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"When she activated her Byakugan… my body wanted to bow."
His expression became serious.
"But why now?"
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"When she fought before… I never felt such oppression."
"That pressure…"
"It was completely different."
---
The mystery remained unsolved.
Meanwhile, inside the Hyuga compound, Hinata lay on her bed while staring at the moon outside her window.
She sighed softly.
---
"Phew… that was close."
"I almost lost my chance to keep training with Ren."
Hinata frowned slightly.
---
"And what if that blonde makes her move when I'm not around?"
She sat up suddenly.
"No."
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"Looks like I won't be sleeping tonight."
Hinata created a shadow clone.
With a flash of space-time distortion, she activated the Flying Thunder God.
---
In the next moment, she appeared at the island house Ren often used for training.
The sea stretched endlessly under the moonlight.
The sky was filled with stars.
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Hinata walked inside the small house and picked up a pair of special gloves.
Her nature transformation seal gloves.
Then she stepped outside again.
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"Shadow Clone Jutsu."
Five clones appeared beside her.
"Let's begin."
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Two clones activated their Byakugan and moved toward the training field.
They began practicing a new nin-taijutsu technique.
A Gentle Fist variation.
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Their fingers flicked forward rapidly.
Compressed chakra and air shot forward like invisible bullets.
Each strike struck targets several meters away.
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The technique was Ren's idea.
It was inspired by a Rokushiki technique.
"Finger Pistol."
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Meanwhile, two other clones practiced another technique.
They kicked the air rapidly while focusing chakra into their legs.
Each kick compressed the air beneath them.
---
With another step, they jumped again in midair.
"Moonstep."
Another technique Ren created after studying Rokushiki.
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"Ren really is amazing," Hinata murmured softly.
"To think of such unique techniques."
Yet he always said the ideas weren't his.
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"He always says he's recreating something that already exists."
Hinata smiled faintly.
Then the clones changed their training again.
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One clone practiced "Rankyaku."
A sweeping kick sliced through the air.
Compressed wind blades shot forward and cut straight through rocks.
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Hinata didn't naturally possess wind affinity.
But after years of training, she had learned to use it effectively.
Even if it was weaker than her lightning and fire nature.
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The final two clones trained another Rokushiki technique.
"Soru."
Their bodies blurred forward with explosive speed.
The ground cracked beneath their feet.
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It resembled both the Body Flicker and Geppo.
But it required far less chakra.
Ren had told them something important.
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"Master Rokushiki until your body can perform it naturally."
"One day you shouldn't need chakra at all."
Just then, an amused voice came from behind.
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"Well… our Hinata is working really hard tonight."
Hinata didn't even turn around.
"I didn't expect you to come too, Ino."
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Ino Yamanaka walked toward her with a grin.
"Well I can't let you become too powerful."
She created five clones.
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Just like Hinata's clones, they began Rokushiki training immediately.
Ino walked beside Hinata and sat down.
The moonlight reflected in the ocean.
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Hinata picked up four leaves.
She placed them between her fingers.
Then she began channeling fire nature chakra.
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The leaves slowly began burning.
Beside her, Ino picked up four leaves as well.
She focused wind chakra through her fingers.
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The leaves sliced apart instantly.
"Looks like my wind control is still better," Ino said smugly.
Hinata snorted softly.
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"Don't get arrogant."
"Ren said your chakra control still needs work."
Ino pouted.
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The night passed quietly as the two girls continued training.
Hours later, both of them finally stopped.
"Hot springs?" Ino asked.
Hinata nodded.
---
After washing up, the two girls returned home and finally went to sleep.
The next morning, the academy classroom was lively again.
Ren sat quietly at his desk.
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Ino chatted happily with Sakura Haruno nearby.
Hinata sat beside Ren calmly.
Across the room, Kiba argued loudly with Choji.
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"I'm telling you I completed more missions than you!"
Choji shook his head while eating chips.
"No way!"
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Just then the classroom door slammed open.
Everyone turned around.
Naruto Uzumaki walked inside proudly.
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A Konoha headband shined on his forehead.
Kiba barked in confusion.
"Hey! Why are you here, Naruto?"
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Naruto grinned widely.
"Because I'm also a ninja now!"
He pointed proudly at his headband.
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"That's cheating!" Kiba shouted.
"You failed the exam!"
Ren chuckled softly.
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He looked at Hinata and Ino.
"I won the bet."
Both girls stared at Naruto in disbelief.
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Naruto proudly showed his forehead protector to Sakura.
"Hey Sakura-chan! Want to go out with me?"
Sakura's fist slammed into his face instantly.
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"Idiot!"
Both Hinata and Ino sighed.
"Fine… you win," they muttered.
Ren grinned mischievously.
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He suddenly pulled both girls closer.
Their faces instantly turned red.
"Look over there," Ren whispered.
"Something interesting is about to happen."
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Both girls looked forward curiously.
Across the classroom, Sasuke Uchiha and Naruto were glaring at each other.
Their faces were inches apart.
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Hinata stiffened.
"No…"
Ino swallowed nervously.
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"They won't… right?"
Just then a student accidentally bumped into Naruto.
Naruto stumbled forward.
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Straight toward Sasuke.
Their faces collided.
Their lips met.
---
The entire classroom froze.
The kid who bumped Naruto rubbed his head.
"Sorry abo—"
He stopped mid-sentence.
---
Everyone stared in horror.
Naruto and Sasuke pushed each other away violently.
Both were coughing while wiping their mouths.
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"NARUTO YOU BASTARD!"
Sasuke roared furiously.
"What have you done?!"
Shikamaru sighed deeply.
---
"What a drag…"
"Why did I have to be awake to see that?"
Several students rubbed their eyes.
---
Kiba looked traumatized.
Hinata and Ino shivered.
Goosebumps ran down their arms.
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Ino slowly spoke.
"Now that I think about it…"
"Naruto and Sasuke have always been close."
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"They fight over every little thing."
"Isn't that how boys hide their feelings?"
Everyone stared at her in horror.
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The more they thought about it…
The more sense it made.
Kiba shuddered.
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"N-no way…"
"Is that why Sasuke never looks at girls?"
"YAMANAKA!"
Sasuke roared.
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His face was bright red.
Hinata spoke innocently.
"Are you embarrassed everyone found out?"
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Ino fist-bumped Hinata.
"Yeah."
"If it's not true, why are you so angry?"
Naruto finally processed what was happening.
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"Hey! Stop spreading rumors!"
"I like Sakura!"
"Not this teme!"
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Sasuke exploded.
"WHO ARE YOU CALLING TEME, DEAD LAST?!"
Ino and Hinata exchanged mischievous smiles.
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"Oh?"
"Is Sasuke angry because Naruto likes Sakura?"
Naruto looked at Sasuke in confusion.
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"Wait… really?"
The entire class stared at them.
Sakura slowly stepped back in horror.
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"No wonder…"
"Sasuke never replies to any girl."
Her face turned pale.
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"So Sasuke…"
"liked Naruto all along." 😨